Pulp molding machine



May 'A7, 1935. A. H. MAGINNls PULP MoLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1954 3Sheets-Shred?l l It. l

May'7, 1935- y A. H. MAGlNNls y PULP MOLDINCT MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 19343 Sheets-Sheet 2 May4 7, 1935.

A. H. MAG|NNIS PULP MOLDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 5,L 1934Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for molding articles from pulp, andwhile the machine by a change in the form of the molds can be used formaking a variety of articles, I have designed and constructed the samewith a special view to suitability for molding relief pictures orplacques.

Machines generally similar to the one herein disclosed have been devisedin the past but embodied certain features which made them unsuited forhigher class work, such as relief pictures or placques, wherein it isobviously important that the machine be capable of producingpredetermined configurations and ne details faithfully in conformance tothe perforated mold or pattern plate. Earlier machines along thisgeneral line were, as a rule, suitable only for flat work or work ofextremely simple and crude pattern, such as egg crate fillers and thelike.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a machine inwhich the perforated pattern plates on the forming drum are subjected tovibration while immersed in the pulp solution with a view to getting amore even application of pulp and a closer and firmer interlocking ofbers, so that the pulp applied will not have so much water content to beconsequently removed, and so that the pulp applied will follow thecontour of the pattern more faithfully to show up every detail. Incommotion with this forming drum improved as just stated, I have alsoprovided a.

perforated distributor plate in the vat of pulp solution and agitatingmeans below this plate with a view to having the desired uniformity inthe pulp material that is applied to the pattern, and thus furtherimprove the grade of product.

Another object consists in the provision of two .Y other drums of thesame diameter as the transfer drum, the one an extracting `drum and theother a transfer drum, both tted with plates to match the pattern platesof the forming drum so that in the turning of these drums at the samespeed with the forming drum, the plates on the extracting drum registerwith the proper plates on the forming drum to extract excess moistureand press the product for better detail, and thereafter the plates onthe transfer drum register with the proper plates on the forming drum toremove the products. With this combination, I am enabled to use a seriesof patterns of the same or different designs, whereas, in previousmachines there was the limitation to working only with one pattern. Themachine embodies suitable guides in connection with the movable,vibratory plates on the forming drum for insuring accurate registrationof these plates with the companion plates on the other two drums.

Still another object consists in the yapplication of suction from withinthe forming and extracting drums during the wringer operation for the 5expulsion of water from the pulp, whereby to remove as much moisture aspossible by the combined action of suction and compression.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which-Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section through a machine embodyingmy invention, the section being taken on the broken line I-I of Fig. 2;y

Fig. 2 is a vertical section in a transverse plane l5 taken on the line2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in side elevation of the lower portion ofFig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. 4 20The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding partsthroughout the views.

Referring to Figin-e 1, the numeral 5 designates a vat containing pulpsolution delivered through a pipe 6 in sucient amount to maintain the 25level indicated, there being an overow at 'I for withdrawal of anyexcess. 8 is the formingdrum,

8 the extracting drum, and I0 the transfer drum. These drums are carriedon shafts 8', 9' and I8', respectively. Portions of the frame of themachine are indicated in Fig. 2 at II. Bearings I2 are provided on theframe for the shaft 8y supporting the forming drum 8 so 'that its lowerportion is immersed in the pulp solution approximately to the extentappearing in Figure 1. Other bearings, not shown, are provided on theframe for the shaft I0 to support the transfer drum I0 above and forwardwith respect to the forming drum 8. The bearings I3 for the shaft 9 arepreferably movable under action of the springs I4 to support theextracting drum above and slightly to the rear with respect to theforming drum 8, while maintaining a given pressure between the plates onthe peripherles 4,; of drums 8 and 9 for the purpose of wringing outmoisture from the pulp deposited on the pattern plates on the formingdrum 8. The pattern plates or molds on the forming drum, 8 are indicatedby the numeral I5. These are perforated, as indicated at I6 in Fig. 4,and profiled on their exposed face, as at I1, according to the shape orpattern of the product to be molded. The plates I8 and I9 perforatedsimilarly to plates I5, are profiled to` match the plates I5, the platesI8 55 being mounted on drum 9 and the plates I9 on drum I0 in the properorder and positions to register accurately with the plates I5 in theturning of the three drums. The drums are all of the same diameter anddriven at the same speed, preferably one half or more turn per minute,and will be equippedy with platesall of one pattern or a number ofpatterns. It is thought to suffice so far as al showing of the drive forthe drums is concerned to show a power operated worm 2U (Fig. 2)transmitting drive to a worm wheel 2l fixed on shaft 8', and bevel gears22 and 23 fixed on shafts 8 and 9 meshed with bevel pinions 24 and 25. Asimilar power take-off will, of course, be provided for the shaft Ill.The sleeve 26 is splined for a sliding driving connection with the twoshafts attached to the pinions 24 and 25 so that the shaft 9 is free tooat suiciently to have the pressure of the springs I4 active in theengagement of the plates I8 with the plates I5. The drums are allrecessed in the periphery thereof under the plates to provide chambers,as indicated at 21, to subject the plates I8 to suction and plates I5and I9 to suction or compression. Manifolds 28, 29 and 30 having suctionand pressure chambers therein are disposed alongside the drums 8, 9 andI0, respectively, and are coaxial and stationary with respect thereto.The suction chambers in these manifolds have suction pipes connectedtherewith, as shown at 3l; the pressure chambers have air pressure pipesconnected therewith as at 32. There are flat side faces on the drums toride on at side faces on the manifolds so as to provide forcommunication of chambers 21 in the drums With the suction and pressurechambers in the manifolds, and circular bands such as those indicated at28 and 29 in Fig. 2, are xed either on the periphery of the drums. or onthe periphery of the mani-A folds, as preferred, overlapping the jointstherebetween to more effectively seal said joints. In Figure 1, theletters S and P are used to indicate the angularity of movement of theforming drum through which the chambers 21 are subject to suction orpressure. I9 suction is considered ample for the purpose of securingapplication of the pulp to the pattern plates but I prefer to havegreater suction, say I5, in the extraction operation where the plates I5cooperate with the plates I8. The operation of the machine is, in ageneral way, readily apparent from a study of Figure 1: The pulp issucked onto the pattern plates I5 as the vibrating plates pass throughthe pulp solution; suction is continued thereafter to draw out excessmoisture, and, of course, insure keeping the covering of pulp on thepattern plates; then as the plates I5 come into register with plates I8of the extracting drum 9, the pulp covering constituting the partiallycompleted molded product is subjected not only to mechanical compressionsimilar to a wringer action but there is increased suction applied bothfrom above and below through plates I8 and I5 to withdraw the majorportion of whatever moisture is expelled, the product being at the sametime pressed to a cleaner cut configuration to more faithfully followthe profile of the pattern plate I5; then the molded product is soonthereafter subjected to air pressure from below through plates I5 andsuction from above'through plates I9 as these plates come into register,resulting in the transfer of the product onto the plate I9 ofthetransfer drum ID, and soon thereafter the product, which by this time isin a condition so that itA will not get out of shape readily, issubjected to compressed air through the plate I9 in order to dischargethe product onto a suitable conveyor belt 33 which conducts the productto a receiving station so that the final drying out can be attended to.It is, of course, quite an advantage t0 have the machine equipped withdrums of the same size so that one is not limited to the making of asingle pattern but may, if desired, produce a variety at one time.

The character of the product is greatly improved in accordance with myinvention by having the plates I5 vibrated as they are passed throughthe pulp solution for coating with pulp, and to have the pulp solutionat the same time maintained in a certain degree of agitation. Thesethings, taken together, insure not only a more uniform application ofpulp to the pattern and hence a more accurately fashioned product, butalso a product in which the pulp fibers are more closely knittedtogether and interlocked or interwoven, so that the resulting product issturdier and will retain its shape indefinitely. Referring to Figs. 2 4,the plates I5 are slidable transversely on the periphery of the formingdrum 8 between T-shaped guide rails 34. Arcuate end rails 35 and 36 ofangular cross-section are suitably secured to the ends of the plates tovibrate or reciprocate with them. A series of push rods 3l actuated bytappets 38 are given impulses toward movement of the plates I5 to theright (Fig. 2) against the action of spring pressed plungers 39 at theother end of the plates. The tappets are operated by push rods 49 whichhave followers 4I riding on the periphery of an eccentric 42 suitablydriven either from the same power source as the worm or a separatesource` as desired. There are suiiicient tappets 38 and push rods 3l, asshown in Fig. 3, and of course, sufficient cooperating plungers 39 totake care of the vibration of the plates I5 throughout the travel of theplates through the pulp solution in the vat 5. A perforated distributorplate 43 is disposed in spaced relation to the periphery of the formingdrum 8 in the vat 5 and preferably formed concentric with the drum 8 soas to have the same spaced relation to the periphery thereof at allpoints in the vat. Below this plate are one or more propellers 44suitably driven from a shaft 45 in the manner indicated to keep the pulpsolution agitated so that there will be no tendency for heavierparticles to settle but be impelled with the rest of the solutionupwardly through the holes in the plate 43 toward the pattern plates I5.The plate 43 causes the rising column of solution to spread out and thusdistributes the pulp solution more or less uniformly throughout thatportion 0f the area of the periphery of the drum immersed in thesolution, so that the pattern plates will be evenly coated. The mobilityof the plates I5 to enable vibration thereof requires the provision ofguide means for bringing the plates I5 into register with the plates I8and I9 0n the other drums, in the event they happen to be shifted out ofalignment when they leave the vibrating means 37-39. I prefer to utilizethe band 28 as a guide at one end of the plates I5; if the plates I5have their pieces 35 in abutment with the band 28' they are properlyregistered with the plates I8 and I9, assuming, of course, that thedrums 8, 9 and IU are mounted and maintained in proper alignment andindexed relationship. An arcuate guide 46 has engagement with the pieces36 at the other end of the plates I5 and is spring pressed towardengagement with the flat side of the drum 8, whereby to insure accuratealignment of the plates on the 'drum 8 and thus insure their accurateregistration with the plates I8 and I9 on the other two drums. One endof the guide 46 is bent outwardly away from the side of the drum 8, asshown at 41, so as to afford an opportunity for any plate I5 which maybe projecting slightly to ride back into alignment, after which the samewill, of course, be kept in alignment by the guide as the drum turnsrelative thereto. The flat face of the guide may, if desired, beprovided with suitable anti-friction rollers to reduce the drag upon theturning of the drum 8 relative thereto.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding ofthe objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims havebeen drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications andadaptations.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a forming drum having a moldingplate with a ypredetermined profile, means for depositing pulp in Wetplastic condition thereon, means for subjecting the molding plate tovibration relative to the drum while the pulp is being depositedthereon, an extracting drum having a wringer surface proled to match theprofiled surface of the molding plate to subject the coating of pulp tocompression between said surfaces to eliminate moisture therefrom andconform the pulp to the profile of the molding plate, means for movingthe molding plate on the forming drum into alignment with the surface onthe extracting drum prior to registration therewith, and means fortransferring the molded product from the molding plate.

2. In a machine of the class described, a forming drum having aperforated molding plate with a predetermined prole thereon, suctionmeans for depositing pulp in a wet plastic condition on the moldingplate while immersed in pulp solution, means for vibrating the moldingplate re1- ative to the drum while the pulp is being deposited on theplate, an extracting drum disposed with its periphery in alignmentwith'that of the forming drum and having a profiled surface to match theprofiled surface of the molding plate and arranged to apply pressure tothe pulp deposit so as to eliminate moisture therefrom and conform thepulp to the profile of the plate, means for moving the plate relative tothe drum into alignment with said surface prior to registrationtherewith, and means for transferring the molded product from themolding plate.

3. In a pulp molding machine of the type comprising a rotary drumturning with a portion thereof immersed in pulp solution for thedepositing of pulp on a molding surface on the drum by suction, amolding plate on the periphery of said drum having a molding surface andmounted for sliding movement transversely on the periphery of the drum,and means for subjecting the plate to vibratory motionl during itsimmersion in the pulp solution.

4. In a pulp molding machine of the type comprising a rotary drumturning with a portion thereof immersed in pulp solution for thedepositing of pulp on a molding surface on the drum by suction, amolding plate on the periphery of said drum having a molding surface andmounted for sliding movement transversely on the periphery of the drum,and means for reciprocating said plate during one portion of a rotationof the drum which includes passage of the plate through the pulpsolution.

5. In a pulp molding machine of the type comprising a rotary drumturning with a portion thereof immersed in pulp solution for thedepositing of pulp on a molding surface on the drum by suction, amolding plate on the periphery of said drum having a molding surface andmounted for lsliding movement transversely on the periphery of the drum,means for reciprocating the plate yrelative to the drum throughout oneportion of a revolution of the drum so that the plate is vibr-ting whilepassing through the' pulp solution, and means for holding the plate in apredetermined position of registration on the periphery of the drumthroughout the balance of the revolution.

6. In a pulp molding machine, the combination of a receptacle for pulpsolution, a molding drum turning so that a portion thereof is immersedin the pulp solution, the drum having suction means for the applicationof pulp to the periphery thereof, a peripheral molding plate on saiddrum having va molding surface on which the pulp is deposited bysuction, means for vibrating the plate relative to the drum during thedepositing of pulp, and pulp agitating and distributing means forsimultaneously impelling the pulp toward the plate and uniformlydistributing the pulp throughout the area thereof.

'1. In a pulp molding machine, the combination of a receptacle for pulpsolution, a molding drum turning so that a portion thereof is immersedin the pulp solution, the drum having suction means for the applicationof pulgl to the periphery thereof, a peripheral molding plate on saiddrum having a molding surface on which the pulp is deposited by suction,and means for reciprocating the plate transversely relative to the drumduring the depositing of pulp, a perforated distributor plate disposedin the pulp solution in spaced relation to the molding plate, andagitator means in the pulp solution for impelling pulp through thedistributor plate toward the molding plate so as to uniformly depositpulp thereon.

8. A pulp molding machine, comprising a receptacle for pulp solution, aforming drum turning so that the lower portion is immersed in the pulpsolution, an extracting drum anda transfer f drum disposed over theforming drum and turning at the same peripheral speed, mold platesslidably mounted on the periphery of the forming drum for transversemovement with respect thereto, said plates being perforated and having amolding surface of a predetermined form, companion plates fixed ontheperiphery of the other drums also perforated and having surfaces tomatch the molding surfaces of said plates, suction means for the formingdrum to deposit pulp solution on the molding plates and thereafterextract moisture from the pulp deposit, suction means for the extractingdrum to withdraw moisture during the compression of the pulp depositbetween the plates on the extracting drum and the molding plates on theforming drum, suction means for the transfer drum to transfer the moldedproduct from the molding plates to the companion plates on the transferdrum, means for reciprocating the molding plates during the immersionthereof in the pulp solution, and means for moving said'plates intoalignment with their companion plates for holding the same in suchalignment throughout their travel past the companion plates on theextracting and transfer drums..

n: i 9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 including agitating means inithe pulp receptacle for impelling pulp toward the forming drum, and aperforated distributing plate disposed between the (drum and theagitating means.

\ 10. A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein thev means forreciprocating the molding plates comprises a plurality of push rodsdisposed in parallel relationship and arranged in an arc adjacent thelower portion of the forming drum to communicate movement in onedirection to the molding plates throughout the travel of `said plates'lnthe pulp solution, spring means ncrmally .tending to move the plates inthe other direction, and means for communicating .impulses to thepushrods.

11. In a machine of the class described, a. forming drum having aperforated molding plate with a predetermined profile thereon on whichpulp in a wet plastic condition is arranged to be applied by suctionthrough the plate while the plate is immersed in pulp solution, anextracting drum having a perforated wringer plate proled to match theprole of the molding plate, means for resiliently .urging the drumstoward each other so that pulp applied to the molding plate iscompressed between said plate and the wringer plate, and means forsimultaneously exerting suction through both of said perforated platesfor withdrawal of the moisture expelled in the compression of the pulp.

ALONZO H. MAGINNIS.

